15 best nature retreats within a two-hour drive from KL for the ultimate escape

Trust us when we say that the view here is really something. Great for larger groups, this retreat offers accommodation options like the Villa, where 16 guests can live comfortably at. Otherwise, hit up the Container, where a 30-person group can convene in nature together. Meditate on the viewing decks while taking in the amazing scenery of the Kanching Rainforest Reserve, before going for a dip in the infinity pool, which comes with a jet spa and a 0.6m-deep splash pool.

Cooking utensils, fire starters, barbecue pits, steamboat pots, and gas stoves are provided for guests to use, and the nearest Tesco is only eight minutes away. Nature photographers should look out for monkeys, monitor lizards, squirrels, large butterflies, and colourful tropical birds who call the surroundings home.

Estimated drive time: 45 minutes

(Photo: Templer Park Rainforest Retreat)

Under an hour’s drive away from KL city lies the peaceful Balik Kampung Villa — an excellent choice for a short weekend stay. There are two villas in total — Kala Villa for up to seven persons and the more intimate Jane and Tarzan Villa for two. Hike up Gunung Nuang, jungle trek at Sungai Congkak, or climb to the top of the waterfall at Gabai Falls, all of which are a close distance from the villas.

Room rates include breakfast grocery items such as eggs, milk, cereal, bread, and fresh local fruits, as well as barbecue equipment and utensils. Amenities-wise, towels, toiletries and bathrobes are provided so all you have to do is bring some clothes, food for barbecuing, and yourself.

Estimated drive time: 50 minutes

(Photo: Balik Kampung Villa)

For the most immersive jungle living experience, hit up the Glass Box room at Sekeping Serendah. Amenities and furnishings are purposely kept to a minimum so guests can soak in the natural surroundings without distractions.

Rooms vary in sizes and the largest space can take up to 14 persons — ideal for a quiet group getaway if that’s on your agenda. There isn’t an on-site restaurant, but there are barbecue pits available for you to cook your own meals. Otherwise, take a short drive out to the nearby local restaurants.

Estimated drive time: One hour (Coordinates: N3.368050, E101.631150)

(Photo: Sekeping Serendah)

Sailor’s Rest Resort offers several room type options such as bungalows, chalets and actual tents, but we recommend staying in the boathouse for its novelty. Great for a team-building excursion, there’s a conference hall, field (dubbed by the retreat staff as a “playground”) and 10 unexpectedly stylish public toilets fitted with rain showers.

The dining hall is a modern wooden structure in the middle of the pond and is great for group gatherings. The retreat also features a well-kept garden with mangosteen and durian trees, and guests are welcome to pick and eat the fruits.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes

(Photo: Sailor’s Rest Resort)

The Shorea introduces itself as a boutique eco-resort located in the Berembun Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan. The resort is split into two wings — The Shorea Estate and The Shorea Resort with a total of eight villas comprising 15 rooms with a maximum capacity of 40 persons.

Choose to stay in duplex air-conditioned villas with individual pools, or naturally-ventilated wooden villas. There are two shared infinity pools across the whole resort, with views of the lush rainforest.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes

(Photo: The Shorea)

The Dusun comprises five beautiful houses (four wooden and one Japanese-styled modern villa) and two shared infinity pools overlooking the serene rainforest. Each house has its own private kitchen and barbecue area, and the resort can provide you with charcoal, wires, and even light the barbecue for you for a small fee.

Don’t worry about doing the dishes as room rates include daily housekeeping. Alternatively, you can pre-order food from the resort and dine at the Dining Patio, where daily breakfast is served. While staying here, you can jungle trek to a nearby waterfall, get a massage, visit a local deer park, go on a guided bird discovery walk, or even take a short photography course by professional shutterbug Nikt Wong.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes

(Photo: The Dusun)

Available for a minimum of 12 persons, this jungle retreat provides catered meals. Choose from delicious local delicacies such as chicken rendang and biryani with mutton, or do your own cooking for a fee of RM100 (approx. S$32) per day to use the equipment and utensils provided.

Located at the foothills of Genting Highlands, other activities you can do here include jungle trekking, fishing in the retreat’s own freshwater lakes (there’s two), swim in the saline water-filled pool with a jacuzzi, take a drive to the Batang Kali Nature Hot Springs, or even visit the nearby Orang Asli village.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Dusuntara Jungle Retreat, No. 1, Dusun Drive, Batang Kali Estate, Kg. Sungei Kamin, 48300 Batang Kali, Malaysia, +60 19 318 4189

(Photo: Dusuntara Jungle Retreat)

Awanmulan is a collection of individual houses sitting on the green hills of Negeri Sembilan. There are eight rooms in total which can accommodate up to 30 persons at a time. A local breakfast is included, but guests can cook their own meals as each house has a fully-equipped kitchen.

Go for a leisurely stroll by the river, which is a 15-minute walk down the hill. For the more adventurous, take a 1.5-hour hike into the jungle to reach beautiful short cascading waterfalls. Remember to let the staff know in advance if you plan to bring your pet, as only certain rooms can accommodate them.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Awanmulan, Seremban, 71770 Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, +60 13 367 0767

(Photo: Awanmulan)

We can’t see why anyone would want to leave this gorgeous place, but if you’re looking for other things to do, you’re spoilt for choice. The retreat staff can arrange for you to participate in activities such as white water rafting, Rafflesia jungle trekking, visits to an elephant and deer sanctuary tour, a waterfall picnic, a Kuala Lipis heritage tour, Melaleuca spa session, golf, and even paintball sessions.

There are only two main villas — Villa Aranya, which has two suites, and Villa Amertani, which has four. All are fully-equipped and beautifully decorated with wooden furnishings.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Casabrina Vacation Villas, Lot 1460, Jalan Tras, Mukim Tras,, 27600 Raub District, Pahang, Malaysia, +60 16 980 3222

(Photo: Casabrina Vacation Villas)

Located next to the Berembun Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan, the place is on a hillside and has a decent-sized infinity pool. As with all the other retreats on this list, jungle trekking is the most popular activity. If you’re unfamiliar with the nearby trails, the kind folks at the retreat are able to arrange for an Orang Asli (indigenous tribesman) guide to bring you on a trek.

There’s also a lovely, large pavilion area with a weights machine, where you can work out, practise yoga, or meditate.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cabinz Ecottage Retreat, Lot 3124 Pantai Hills, Jalan Kolam Air, Kampung Pantai Baharu, 70100 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, +60 16 644 8236

(Photo: Cabinz Ecottage Retreat)

‘Selepas Hujan’ translates to ‘after rain’, bringing to mind the fresh, earthy smells and tranquillity that comes with it. Located at the Berembun Virgin Jungle Reserve and by the Batang Penar River, the retreat promises a peaceful and relaxing stay. Trek to a secret spot 45 minutes into the jungle and enjoy a leisurely picnic and bird-watch, or choose to relax under a waterfall, go fishing, or sit down for a chat with the Temuan orang asli people.

More suited for couples or small families, there are two houses that can accommodate a maximum of six persons. There’s also an infinity saltwater pool with grand views of the surrounding forest.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Selepas Hujan, 43A (Lot 3154) Pantai Hill Orchard Resort, Jalan Kampung Pantai, 71770 Pantai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, +60 12 931 5147

(Photo: Selepas Hujan)

Being in close proximity to three waterfalls, the last 10-minute journey leading up to the resort is only accessible by 4×4 vehicles — which are provided and included in the room rates. The space is large, housing 21 chalets and dorms which can accommodate a whopping 185 people. Time to plan that company-wide team bonding trip, maybe?

Free guided treks, morning walks, and night walks are included in the room rates, and you can also request for team building activity proposals from the resort. Programmes include jungle paintball, flying fox, an adventure race, and organic farming lessons.

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya Eco Tourism Resort, 8, Jalan Tras, 27600 Raub, Pahang, Malaysia, +60 16 609 0493

(Photo: Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya)

This retreat is located at nearby Kuala Kubu Baru, a popular destination for KL folks to go on weekend morning treks at. Cute and slightly quirky, all the rooms are painted a bright turquoise on the outside and furnished with simple furniture with a hipster vibe. There’s a saltwater pool that’s accessible 24/7, a fully-equipped kitchen for guests, barbecue pits (though you can get them to cater food for you, too) and a small function area for that birthday surprise you’ve been planning.

The place has also teamed up with Primal Wilderness Experience, which offers several guided activities such as day and night jungle treks, and white water rafting. For those who prefer to go on your own adventures, there are plenty of options too — go on a river picnic, play golf at a nearby course, practice archery on Sarang’s grounds itself, or even go paragliding (the take-off area is just 10 minutes away by car from Sarang).

Estimated drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Sarang by the brook, Jalan Seruling 20, Kuala Kubu Bharu, 44000 Selangor, Malaysia, +60 19 3322 448

(Photo: Sarang by the brook)

De Serenity has three individual units with a maximum capacity of 12 persons. We like that the pool is large enough to do some actual swimming, and there’s also a 20ft-long children’s pool, with a conveniently located poolside barbecue area.

Of course, there’s a guided, three-hour-long jungle trek that leads you to a stunning waterfall. You can also choose to lounge around the verandah for amazing views of the Berembun Forest.

Muslim friends take note: this is perhaps the only retreat we’ve come across so far that’s been awarded a halal certificate, so sit back and enjoy the food with ease. All meals are included in the accommodation packages, and rooms will be assigned to guests depending on how large or small your party is.

Being in the limestone-rich state of Perak, there are also packages to go caving in Gua Tempurung while other activities include riding ATVs through a waterfall trail, kayaking, flying fox, wet abseiling, body rafting, river boarding and even going on a guided Rafflesia walking tour.

Estimated drive time: Two hours

Adeline Villa & Rest House, Lot 13302, Mukim Teja, Kampung Geruntum, Sungai Itik, 31600 Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia, +60 5 359 2833

(Photo: Adeline Villa & Rest House)